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Monday, 26 January 2009 |
Pacquaio gobbles up more cash than opponents
by CHRIS IRELAND
Sports Reporter
In November of 2003 the boxing world watched a small, skinny Tasmanian devil named Manny Pacquaio tear apart Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera in San Antonio, Texas.
The unheralded underdog couldn't speak English, but connected with his shocked audience nonetheless with a sheepish, youthful smile that told the story of his humble Filipino background.
One couldn't help but be charmed by his unaffected personality.
“Pac Man” seemed almost overwhelmed by the spotlight.
He was one of us.
Boxing had a new, humble, young star.
Six years, four weight classes and countless millions later; Pacquaio's success seems to have gone to his bobbing, weaving head.
The pound-for-pound king threw his recently signed mega fight with
Ricky Hatton in limbo after refusing to take a 50-50 purse split.
Pacquaio nearly walked away from the biggest payday of his career, and
by far his most lucrative option at the moment, after his camp and
promoter already agreed to the deal.
The issue was finally settled when Hatton, a true fighter willing to be
the bigger man, agreed to give Pacquaio an additional two percent.
Pacquiao's ego was satisfied.
My, how things have changed.
This isn't the first time Pacquaio has fretted over money since
becoming a bona fide star. Pacquaio nearly left boxing fans hanging in
December, when he was again unsatisfied with a career-high payday
against Oscar De La Hoya.
Again, the issue was resolved over small percentages.
Sure, fights are often lost at the negotiating table. If a fighter is
going to sacrifice his pride, body, and future in front of millions of
people, he wants to earn as much money as possible. That's
understandable.
What is so puzzling about Pacquaio's transformation into a prima donna
pugilist is his timing. For the second straight fight, Pacquaio has
agreed to earn the biggest purse of his career only to bolt at the last
second in an attempt to squeeze fractions more from promoters.
He doesn't need the money.
“Pac Man” is all over billboards, television sets, and even political
ballots in the Philippines. His win over De La Hoya has turned him into
a household name in the United States, and at 30, there are still
millions to be made.
Two percent isn't going to change any of that.
What Pacquaio needs to realize is that if he's not careful, his recent
antics at the negotiating table will begin to tarnish his reputation.
The childish smile is still there (with improved English), but what's hiding underneath is becoming increasingly ugly.
Another problem with Pacquiao's pocket pouting is how it affects his
mentality going into a fight. If he spends more time thinking about his
fight for more cash instead of fights for straps, hungry pugs like
Hatton will destroy any plans he has for future paydays.
After all, a big head is easier to hit.
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